Yesterday my son Ryan, after 3+ years of working full-time at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and attending UC Berkeley, achieved his Masters, Mechanical Engineering degree in the class of 2026 from UC Berkeley. Congratulations on all you have accomplished and all your future successes! Dad

Getting My Gear Ready, Camping Season Has Arrived!

Fun time hanging out with Liana and Sandra and the Oakland Annual Greek Festival happing Friday to Sunday

Time for a slice of Sandra’s Strawberry cake for dessert…thank you

Saw a recipe for salmon teriyaki poke, which inspired me to make it for today’s dinner. Picked up the sushi grade salmon at Tokyo Fish in Berkeley.

Summer camping season is here, so thought I would practice my camping baking skills with this Dutch Oven Coconut and Fresh Pineapple Upside-Down Cake. Cooked at 350 degrees for 30 minutes using charcoal in the back yard.

55th annual Indigenous Powwow event 2026 at Stanford University celebrating life, indigenous solidarity of traditions, ancestors, and mothers on this Mother's Day weekend!

Sandra and I attended Ryan’s UC Berkeley, Master of Engineering Capstone Team event to see the project Ryan had completed as part of earning their Masters Degree in Engineering. Ryan, congratulations on this milestone in your education, we are all very proud of you and all you have achieved!

I'm attending No Kings's event, “NO KINGS Antioch, CA” - sign up now to join me! www.mobilize.us/nokings/even...

I traveled to Hawaii to visit my son Nicholas, who is working and attending the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, with a major in Kinesiology. I am very proud of you Nicholas…Dad

Amtrak from Reno, Nevada heading West toward California

While heading up to Fallon, Nevada, decided instead of driving, enjoyed enjoying the scenery from an Amtrak train from Sacramento to Reno.

While heading up to Fallon, Nevada, decided instead of driving, enjoyed enjoying the scenery from an Amtrak train from Sacramento to Reno.

Sandra and I enjoyed our Valentine’s Day with an overnight in Bodega Bay, spending Saturday morning hiking the new trails at Estero Americano Coast Preserve. Thanks Sandra aka “My Valentine”.

Traveled via Chapala Plus bus from Ajijic to Guadalajara to visit sites, including the Hospicio Cabanas

Traveled via Chapala Plus bus from Ajijic to Guadalajara to visit sites, including the Hospicio Cabanas

Ajijic Sunsets

Sandra and I enjoyed lunch today with friends Larry and his wife Kay. As always, great seeing you both! Happy Holidays!

My wife and I enjoying one of our favorite activities…trail hiking!

Cold morning, hot from the oven sourdough kind of day…

Early morning sourdough loaf bake to get breakfast and the day started #sourdough

Tour Day - Sunday 10/12/25 Meiji Jingu Shrine The Imperial Palace Asakusa Buddhist Temple Nakamise Shopping Street Shibuya Crossing, aka Shibuya Scramble Crossing Sushi dinner Tokyo Tower

Tour Day - Sunday 10/12/25 Meiji Jingu Shrine The Imperial Palace Asakusa Buddhist Temple Nakamise Shopping Street Shibuya Crossing, aka Shibuya Scramble Crossing Sushi dinner Tokyo Tower

Thur to Sat, October 9-11, 2025 32 hours of travel if you include from door to door the Bart train, drive to SFO, flight with 2 hour layover in Manila before arriving at Narita International Airport (NRT) in Tokyo followed by train and walk to the hotel in Tokyo. Can’t wait to explore Tokyo!

Backyard BBQ

Celebrating the Quinceañera of Idaly with the Perez, Chong, and Ochoa families along with many other family and friends on Saturday at the La Fortuna MC Ranch in American Canyon. Enjoyed watching my wife sing, dance, and connecting with many of her Ochoa family from Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico

The tree in front of the house was looking overgrown and some branches unhealthy. Hopefully this trim does the trick…

Soba Ichi Soba Restaurant • West Oakland

5am Sourdough bake #sourdough

Sandra and I had an enjoyable weekend with Angelica & Guillermo to celebrate Angelica’s Birthday.

Fun Fourth of July weekend with Sandra, her three Sons and five Granddaughters!

When my wife wants salsa, I make salsa…

What to do when you have extra tofu in the fridge, grill it BBQ style…

Enjoying family dinner in the backyard with Sandra, Ryan, and Nicholas. Later this week, Nicholas will return to Hawaii where he is working and attending college. Safe travels and look forward to seeing you again in the near future…Dad

Fun time celebrating Sandra’s granddaughter Natalia’s High School Graduation. Amazing person with a bright future ahead of her…congratulations Natalia and family!

Happy 23rd Birthday to my amazing son Nicholas Cheers to you!

Cherry season has started in our front yard!

On this hot Saturday evening, perfect time for a margarita in the backyard, cheers!

H.R.1 - One Big, Beautiful Bill Act 2025…Really

Last weekend, Sandra and I had fun hanging out with her son Leoni, his Wife and daughters, who recently returned to the US after being stationed abroad for several years. Welcome back! Driving back home, Sandra and I made a brief stop and walk along Lake Tahoe before continuing home.

Fun end of the week Starbucks community event at the George Mark Children’s House along with people from Pixar, FedEx, Southwest Airlines, Farallon Capital, Salesforce, Serpico, MBJessee and others. This was our 13th year supporting such an amazing organization in our local community!

Had a fun Mother’s Day weekend, ending with a Sunday hike at Lands End, Waymo driverless car ride back to the trailhead followed by yummy Salvadorean Food for dinner!

My wife and I taking a little walk in the park at Lake Chabot in Castro Valley. Thanks Sandra

Celebrating Earth Day 2025 helping to clean up Candlestick Point State Recreation Area in San Francisco with fellow Starbucks partners along with Northern California hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts! #tobeapartner #LSNorcal #LSInspiredmoments #extrashotofgood

Birthday Party Tacos and Desserts!

My Wife created this cake to help celebrate my Birthday and 33rd Starbucks Anniversary…Thank you Sandra!

My Wife is an amazing Gardener. The rose plants she cut down to about a foot from the ground have sprung back in Spring with amazing flowers and many more to come!